January 23, 2013

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival has named Emmanuel's Mystery Radio Theater as one of six Outstanding Overall College Theater Productions, Region One (New England/New York) for 2012. It joins productions from Tufts University, SUNY Suffolk, Boston University and others on the short list of shows invited to perform at the Kennedy Center's Annual Festival, held this year at the Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis, Mass.

This marks the second time in the College's history (and the second consecutive year, after 2011's "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee") that Emmanuel has received this highest of honors in academic theater, having entered productions since 2001. The selection was made by a panel of respondents made up of faculty from over 20 other institutions and representatives from the Kennedy Center itself.

To celebrate this unprecedented event, the cast will be presenting a special encore performance of its first episode, "The Lost World," in the Fenway Room on January 25th. Admission is free. It will also be simulcast over EC Radio, and streamed over the free phone application "TuneIn." EC Radio will also broadcast the cast's Award Performance, from Hyannis, on Saturday, February 2nd at 2:30 pm.

For six weeks in the fall of 2012, the Administration Building's Fenway Room took a trip back to the 1930s with the Department of Performing Arts' "Mystery Radio Theater" series. The troupe presented six classic radio drama performances, including "The Lost World," "The Time Machine" and "A Journey to the Center of the Earth." Each show was fully costumed and staged in the '30's style and included original music by members of the department.

Assistant Professor of Performing Arts and Director of Theater Programs Scott Gagnon worked with close to 30 students on the program. As part of the productions, students utilized genuine Foley sound effects to create the true radio show feel. Performances took place in front of a live audience in the Fenway Room, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each show was also broadcast live on EC Radio, allowing a wider audience to tune in to the authentic radio dramas throughout the semester.